Steve Jobs has resigned as Apple CEO “effective immediately”

The Board of Directors at Apple, Inc. has released a statement indicating that …

In a surprise announcement Wednesday evening, Apple's Board of Directors announced that Steve Jobs is resigning as CEO of the company. Apple's Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook, has been named Jobs' successor and plans to begin taking over as CEO effective immediately.

"Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company," Apple Board member and Genetech chairman Art Levinson said in a statement. "Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."

In 2004, Jobs underwent a complicated but successful surgery to remove a tumor in his pancreas, and was back at work within a few months. While the procedure is highly successful for the form of pancreatic cancer that Jobs had, it also removes much of the pancreas and some of the digestive tract. This can lead to further complications, such as the dramatic and visible weight loss Jobs' suffered in 2008.

The motley fool has it right.... "Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO of Apple ($AAPL). What a tragedy. Best CEO of his era."

Difficult to see the resignation of anyone as a "tragedy." He wants to move on, so he's moving on. Good for him.

Its only a tragedy in the sense that he wouldn't be doing this if he wasn't getting sicker. Which is kinda sad. As much as Apple has annoyed me in the last couple years, the Return of Steve has given us some pretty cool stuff.

Difficult to see the resignation of anyone as a "tragedy." He wants to move on, so he's moving on. Good for him.

Wouldn't that depend on the circumstances of the resignation? For example, if it's because of bad health, or if the CEO (not in this case) is forced out by his/her associates, then the resignation wouldn't necessarily be for totally positive reasons . . .

His resignation is sad day for Apple but was bound to happen at some point. His influence was still be felt at his new post as Chairman of the Board and Tim Cook has shown that he is more than capable of running Apple. My belief is Apple fans, stockholders are more concerned around the future of Apple's creative vision. Will Steve Jobs still have a major influence on this vision or let Cook take a stab at it? Apple's product roadmap is reportedly in place for many years into the future so in the short term I don't see a reason for concern. We should keep Mr. Jobs in our prayers and wish Apple continued success in making some of the best products in the world.

This reminds me all too well of the situation with Jack Layton... I hope it doesn't come to that.

For those who don't know, here's a brief synopsis. Layton was the leader of one of Canada's major political parties, the New Democrat Party, or NDP. He had survived prostate about a year ago, but in late July, he announced that another type of cancer had been discovered. Less than a month later, just 2-3 days ago now, he suddenly died. Jobs' cancer doesn't seem to be moving quite that fast given he's been on medical leave for a bit now, but it's eerily similar situations.

I think the tragedy is from the presumption that he resigned due to imminent death from cancer.

It could be that he needs more treatment that would interfere with his duties as CEO, and not necessarily his "imminent death". Of course, it could be he is nearing the end. I've never been a big Steve Jobs fan, but I wouldn't wish that he got terminal cancer . . .

The motley fool has it right.... "Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO of Apple ($AAPL). What a tragedy. Best CEO of his era."

Difficult to see the resignation of anyone as a "tragedy." He wants to move on, so he's moving on. Good for him.

Its only a tragedy in the sense that he wouldn't be doing this if he wasn't getting sicker. Which is kinda sad. As much as Apple has annoyed me in the last couple years, the Return of Steve has given us some pretty cool stuff.

Its a tragedy in that this is likely to be Jobs way of saying hes dying of cancer. Show some respect.

Not a fan of the company or how it does business; however, you cannot deny success, nor the innovations, and I have to respect the man for his accomplishments even if I don't agree with the way he keeps shop.

Well done sir, enjoy your time off. You certainly seem to have earned it.